|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 9:11 pm
Vanaryn was afraid. No, that was an understatement. She was terrified. Things had been fine for Turns, but now everything was changing and the idea of what she thought would be expected of her was turning her blood to ice. She was only 21! Nowhere near ready to settle down. Not really ready to be a mom either, and yet...
Looking down, the young green rider lay a hand on her flat stomach. A stomach that wouldn't be flat much longer. Jacepi... Tears filled her eyes as she thought of the man she'd been in love with since she was thirteen Turns old. He would be thrilled to know he was possibly about to be a father. But Vanaryn knew he'd been gearing up to ask her something. Something permanent. She just wasn't ready. She needed time, but she was so afraid. She couldn't even put a finger on exactly why she was afraid. She should have been happy, ecstatic even. She had a good man who loved her and they would be parents in just under a year.
Mine? What's wrong? Anath asked in her mind, her tone worried for her rider. Vanaryn gave a sobbing half laugh. Nothing. Everything. But never you, my love. You are perfect. Anath preened under the praise, but she still worried for hers. Get ready to fly, Anath. We're going to Western.
She had to leave. She just needed space, that was it. Right? Time to get her mind in order. Time to figure out what it was she wanted. Jacepi would understand, right? Yeah...probably not. Especially not if she told him she could be pregnant. She winced at that thought. If she told him, he'd want her to stay even more. She couldn't. She had to go. Rubbing her face dry she breathed in deeply to rid herself of the sniffles before leaving her room to go find the man whose heart she was about to break.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 9:34 pm
Jacepi couldn't have been happier! He'd always heard people talk about how love was like walking on air. That love was a miracle. He believed it, now. The last few months with Vanaryn had been nothing short of that. And now, he was about to make it even better. He was going to ask Vanaryn to be his wife.
He knew she belonged at the Weyr. But where she was, he wanted to be too. He'd saved and saved, waiting until he could afford just the right ring. It had a small sapphire there, to indicate their craft, and then an equally small emerald, for Anath. She'd become special to him, just as Vanaryn had.
"Hi love!" He greeted, and hesitated. Something wasn't right... "What's wrong?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:26 pm
While Vanaryn was still not one hundred percent sure she wasn't making the worst decision of her life, Anath was bathing her in love and affection, assuring her that everything would be alright no matter what she decided. Rubbing her sweaty hands on her riding leathers, Vanaryn forced a smile when she saw Jacepi. He looked so happy; how was she supposed to break his heart?
"Hey, Jace," she said and her smile faltered. Shells, he knew her so well. There was a small part of her that wanted to stay here, stay with him, but it was quickly smothered by her fear. She had to go, had to have some space to figure things out. She opened her mouth to assure him nothing was wrong, an instinctual response, but she closed her mouth without speaking. Taking a breath, she spoke in a rush: "I have to go."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:42 pm
...Go? Go where?
Jacepi was quiet for a long moment. "Do you have drills?" He asked, quietly. Was the Weyr calling her home? He dug into his pocket and took out the ring he'd purchased. "Before you go, I wanted to ask you a question." He offered her the ring. "I had them make this for us," he explained, enthusiastically. "The emerald is for Ansth, and the sapphire's us. See?" He gave her a smile, but it faltered.
"Can I come with you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:59 pm
"I-" she paused, at a loss for her. "Yes." Drills. That was an acceptable reason for leaving, right? She could go back to the Weyr and just...not come back. Oh, but she would feel so bad about that. Not that she didn't already feel terrible about what she was about to do. No, she had to tell him the truth.
And then he brought out the ring. The absolutely perfect ring. A stone for them, and one for Anath. "No, it's...it's not drills," she said softly. "And you can't come with me." Her voice broke on the last word. She cleared her throat and looked at his face, but that was a mistake. Her eyes went down to the ring. "It's beautiful," she breathed, eyes shining with tears she didn't want to shed. Not yet. "But I can't...I have to go. I need...space. And time. I'm going back to Western for a while."
"I'll write," she offered lamely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 11:08 pm
So it was drills? So she'd be back in a few candlemarks, then?
...Not drills. And he couldn't go with her. There was a sudden lump in his throat, like he'd swallowed half a tuber. It felt real and painful. He tried to swallow, and looked at her. "I don't understand," he began. He'd thought they were happy. He'd thought they could live their lives together.
"For a while? You'll be back?" Soon, he hoped. He...shards, he loved her. "Vannie...I love you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 11:34 pm
She tried to promise that she would be back but the words stuck in her throat. How could she promise something she wasn't sure of herself? She wanted to tell him everything would be fine, but what if it wasn't? Vanaryn knew she felt strongly for this man, and that's why she had to go. She had to figure out if this was love or...something else.
He said it. Her heart froze in her chest, breath catching in her throat as her irrational fear flooded her mind and body. Her fight or flight response was leaning heavily toward flight. She had to go. "I've gotta go. I...I'll write."
And with that she turned and left, heading for where Anath waited for her. Home, Anath. And fly straight. We're carrying precious cargo...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
